The Kremlin said on Thursday that extra protections for President Vladimir Putin are being implemented ahead of May 9 Victory Day events, with officials citing a perceived threat from Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that enhanced security around major holidays - and in particular Victory Day - is routine, but that measures this year were being stepped up because of what he called the "terrorist threat" from Ukraine. Asked directly whether Mr. Putins own security was being increased for the same reason, Peskov answered, "Of course."
Peskov also rejected recent reporting in Western media, including a CNN report that drew on an unnamed European intelligence agency, which suggested security around the president had been significantly reinforced due to fears of a coup or an assassination attempt. "I have one question for you. What is European intelligence? I'm not aware of the existence of such a thing," he said.
Moscow has placed itself on heightened alert for any attempt to disrupt the Saturday commemorations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two. The Kremlin said President Putin will preside over the military parade in Red Square and is expected to deliver a speech as part of the events.
In recent years, the Victory Day observance has been used by the president to mobilize domestic support for the war in Ukraine, presenting current servicemen as carrying on the legacy of those who defended the country during World War Two. This year's parade, officials said last week, will be held in a reduced format for security reasons, omitting the usual public demonstrations of weaponry such as tanks and missiles.
The security context has been punctuated by incidents in and near the Russian capital. On Monday a high-rise building in southwest Moscow was struck by a drone. On Thursday, Russian authorities said their air defences had destroyed 32 drones that were heading toward the capital.
Russian officials have repeatedly warned that any Ukrainian attacks during the Victory Day celebrations would prompt a strong response. Moscow has said it would retaliate with a massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv if attacks occur during Saturdays events.
Russia announced a ceasefire for May 8 and 9 surrounding the anniversary. Kyiv did not agree to that truce; instead, Ukrainian authorities declared their own two-day ceasefire that began at midnight from Tuesday into Wednesday. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said this week that Russia had not responded to Kyiv's longstanding appeals for a permanent ceasefire, adding that, in his view, "human life is incomparably more valuable than the 'celebration' of any anniversary."
Context and implications
The Kremlin framed the increased security as part of standard practice for major national holidays while explicitly linking the measures this year to threats it attributes to Ukraine. Officials also sought to counter reporting that suggested internal fears within the Russian leadership about plots against the president, dismissing such coverage and the notion of a European intelligence apparatus cited by those reports.
The combination of the scaled-down parade, reported drone incidents and the interception of multiple aerial threats underscores the tense security environment in the run-up to the Victory Day events.
Summary of events
- Russian authorities announced enhanced security for Victory Day and confirmed tightened protection for President Putin.
- Officials linked the measures to a "terrorist threat" they say originates from Ukraine.
- Moscow will hold a reduced Red Square parade without the usual display of tanks and missiles.
- Russian air defences reported destroying dozens of drones en route to the capital; a Moscow high-rise was struck earlier in the week.
- Russia declared a two-day ceasefire for May 8 and 9 that Kyiv did not accept; Ukraine instituted its own two-day truce.